Programs at Japanese Martial Arts Academy

Iaido is a modern Japanese martial art and sport that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to a sudden attack.

Iaido is associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard (or saya), striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While beginning practitioners of iaido may start learning with a wooden sword (bokken) depending on the teaching style of a particular instructor, most of the practitioners use the blunt edged sword, called iaitō. Few, more experienced, iaido practitioners use a sharp edged sword (shinken).

Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical strength, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.

At Budo Ryokukai Aikido, we focus on the roots of the art. Ryokukai Aikido is infused with Sensei Niikura’s vast techniques and experience in Karate, Jujutsu, Judo, and Iaido.

Karate-do is a system of unarmed combat using the hands and feet to deliver and block blows, widely practiced as a sport. We teach the Shotokan Karate Style; developed from various Japanese Karate styles by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945). Karate-do is performed barefoot in loose padded clothing, with a colored belt indicating the level of skill, and involves mental as well as physical training.

Silverado Karate offers a wide variety of techniques which is the result of blending styles of martial arts, from the hardest to the softest.

This program offers the opportunity to reach a harmonic equilibrium between body and mind. In fact we find, in Karate, all the essential psychomotor elements. Karate skills, exercise, and physical fundamentals are a great way for anyone to gain coordination, balance and strength.

Kudo is a mixed Budo sport comprising full contact punches, kicks, throwings, and submission techniques on the ground.

Kudo has its origins in Kakuto Karate (Combat Karate), but It is not just a mixed fighting with emphasis on competition side. It is a life-long sport, system for youth education, method of self-defence and health maintenance for adults. Along with this elements it stresses the "Reigi" or respect and etiquette in its tradition. In this sense it is a "Modern Budo" that has already spread in more then 60 countries around the world.

Judo and Jiu-Jitsu are tremendous and dynamic combat sports that demands both physical prowess and great mental discipline. Although Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, now are one of the most widely practiced combat sports throughout the world, have developed from a Japanese "Martial Arts" to becoming a truly international sport on the Olympic Program (Judo).

Our Judo & Jiu-Jitsu Club is a Member of the United States Judo Association. Coaching by Antonio Garcia, Certified Black Belt with more than 40 years of Judo teaching experience.